Illuminated sign



Jan. 5, 1932. H. c. c. ENGBERG ILLUMINATED S IGN Filed Oct. 6, 1 930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 By Attorney Jan. 5, 1932. ;v Q ENGBERG 1,839,786

ILLUMINA'II'ED SIGN Filed Oct. 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Y i a. I o i 'ITIUCTIIO."

H. C. 61E??? By @Mm A Home? ILLUMINATED S IGN Filed Oct. 6, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 H. 6. 6.291 yl q Allomey nvenlor Jan. 5, 1932; H. c. c. ENGBEIRG 1,839,786

ILLUMINATED S I GN Filed Oct. 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 2/ l. '5 ll. 1

$27 H.C.6'.Er1q, er7

Allomey Patented Jan. 5, 1932 UNE'EED STATES G. G. ENGBERG, OF- KEARNEY, NEBRASKA ILLUMINATED SIGN Application filed October 6, 1930. Serial No. 486,759.

This invention relates generally to illuminatedsigns and more particularly to a sign of this characterwhich is in the nature of a i register for use in hospitals but it is'under- 5 stood, of course, that a sign in accordance with this invention may be used for any purpose or in any place for which the sameis found adapted and desirable. I An important object of the invention is to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an illuminated sign of the aforementioned character embodying means for enabling it to be expeditiously determined when a doctor I or other person is present in the hospitalor other building.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an illuminated sign of the character set forth embodying a housing or casing'having an open front in which are mounted a plurality of translucent removable panels upon each of which the names of the doctors or other persons are placed, the invention further including manually operable means associated with each of the panels for shielding said panels from the light within the housing or casing, thus rendering. the names on the panelsinvisible from the front of the sign.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an illuminating sign embodying a novel construction and arrangement of parts whereby the panels may be expeditiously removed or replaced when it is so desired, to permit the names thereon to be changed.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide resilient means for yieldingly retaining the light intercepting shutters in operative or inoperative position after said shutters have been manually shifted. 1

Qther objects of the invention are to provide an illuminated sign of the character set forth which will be attractive in appearance, simple in construction, strong; durable, efficient in use and which may be manufactured at low cost. p I All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent" from a studyof the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresporiding parts throughout the several views, and wherein I Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of thesign constructed in accordance with this'inventlon. I

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View of the-sign.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line H of Figure 3 looking in the direction indicated by'the arrows. i

Figure 5-isa view in top plan showing the panel supporting units separated.

Figure 6 is affragmentary'view in front elevation showing the panel supporting units separated. c

Figure 7, is a View in elevation looking at the rear of the panel supporting units showing the same in position in the front wall of the housing with the light intercepting shutters in operative position.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view broken away in vertical cross section and showing a resilient means for retainingthe shutters in operative or inoperativeposition.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary enlarged view 80 in vertical section, showing the means for removably' mounting the translucent panels in position in the units.

Figure 10 isa'detail view in perspective of I one of the shutters.

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view through one of the panel frames with the parts therein. i l

' Referringtothe drawings in detail, it will befseen that the reference numeral 1 designates generally a housing or casing which is open at its front. An incandescent light bulb".

2 is mounted at 'a suitable point on the rear." wall of the housing or casing 1 and is electrically connected by conductor wires 3 with a suitable receptacle 4 in the lower wall of the housing or casing. A suitable switch 5v is mounted in the housing or casing 1 and interposed in the circuit to the bulb 2, the op crating lever of the switch 5 being operable 199 the drawings.

through a slot 6 in one of the side walls of the housing or casing, as best seen in Figure 2 of It is understood, of course, that any desired number of light bulbs may be mounted in the housing and that the receptacle 4 and the switch 5 may be located at any desired point. The interior of the housing or casing 1 is preferably suitably coated to reflect the light from the bulb 2 toward the open front of said housing or casing.

As best seen in Figure 3 of the drawings, the upper wall of the housing or casing 1 has its forward edge disposed rearwardly of theforward edges of the side and lower walls of the housing and sa1d upper wall termmates in an upturned flange 7. The side walls and the lower wall of the housing or casing 1 terminate at their forward edges in the inturned flanges 8.

A rectangular frame 9 of angle iron cross section is mounted telescopically and removably on the front portion of the housing 1. An integral panelled extension 10 is provided on the upper side'of the frame 9 for the reception of the flange 7 for detachably securing the upper end of the said frame 9 to the housing or casing 1. A metallic strip 11 is secured beneath the upper side of the frame 9 forahutting engagement with the forward edge of the upper wall of the housing or casing 1 in the manner illustrated to advantage in Figure 3' of the drawings. Suitable means such as aligned eyes 12 may be provided on the'lower end of the frame 9 and an adjacent portion ofthe lower wall of thehousing or casing 1 for securing said lower end of the frame in position on the housing. A locking pin 13 is inserted through the eyes 12 to secure the lower end of the frame to the housing.

An angular supporting bar 14 is fixed within the frame 9 adjacent the lower end thereof and projects into the housing or casing 1 when the frame 9 is in position on said housing or casing. Metallic strips 15 (see Figure 4) are mounted on the opposite sides of the frame 9 on the interior of said frame and project into the housing or casing 1 when the frame 9 is in positionthereon. As clearly seen in Figure 4 of the drawings, the strips 15 are spaced from the adjacent edges of the vertical sides of the frame 9 and the angular bar 1a is spaced below the adjacent horizontal edge of, the lower side of the frame 9. Themar inal portions of the frame 9 which project inwardly beyond the strips 15 and the angular bar 14 are turned back in a manner to provide a double. thickness of metal at these points and to provide a smooth edge.

1: In fact, all of the marginal edges of the frame 9 are rolled or turned a smooth edge.

A pair of, verticallydisposed sign panel supporting frames 16 and 17 are removably back to provide mounted in the frame 9, the lower ends-of said sign panel supporting frames resting 011 the angular bar 14 in the manner best illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. Each of the frames 16 and 17 is provided with the superposed windows 18. Behind each of which windows a translucent sign panel 19 is slidably mounted in the pairs of opposed channel members 20 which are provided for this purpose. The frames 16 and 17 are identical in construction and each has one vertical marginal portionenlarged as at 21 and channelled as at 22 as will be seen each of the panel frames 16 and 17 is composed of a base plate 18 which contains the window 18 and to which the channel members 20 are connected. The ends of the base plate are bent over to form top and bottom parts of a panel frame and a strip 18", of substantially G-shape in cross section islfastened to the channel members at the side of the panel frame opposite the enlargement 21. A channel shaped member 22 is connected to the oppositeside of each panel frame to form the enlargement 21 on the channel 22 and the space for the spring 30. A strut 22" is formed with or connected to those ends of the channel members 20 adjacent the enlargement 22 and is located in rear .of the transparent members 19. The rods 27 are journalled in the strip 18 and the member 22. The channel in the frame 16 is for the reception of the adjacent marginal portion of the frame 17 as best seen in Figures 4E and 5 of the drawings. WVhen in position in the frame 9 the panel supporting frames 16 and 17 fit snugly between the metallic strips 15 of the frame 9. It may be well to here state that the housing or casing 1 and the frame 9 may be of any desired dimensions and any desired number of the panel supporting frames may be mounted in side by side relation, as will be apparent.

Referring now to Figure 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that an angular retainingbar 23 is hinged as at 24 for swinging movement on the interior of the frame 9 in the upper portion thereof and is adapted for engagement over the upper ends of the panel supporting frames 16 and 17 in a manner to reta n the upper ends of said frames 16 and 17 in position in the frame 9'. The retaining bar 23 has formed thereon an eye 25 which is adapted to be brought into alignment with an eye 26 on the upper end portion of the frame 16 and on the inner side of said frame 16. A pin is inserted in the aligned eyes 25 and 26 for securing the retaining bar 23 in operative position.

Rods 27 are mounted for rotary movemovement therewith is a'metallic. shutter '27 adapted for swinging movement'to .axposition adjacent'the respective sign panels in a manner to shield said panels from thelight bulb 2 in the housing or casing 1. The shut-' ters 27 are adapted to be swung from the position indicated in fullilines in Figure9of the drawings to the position indicated in broken lines in said Figure 9. Aswill be apparent, the translucent panels 19 are exposed to the light bulb 2 when the shutters are in the broken line position. Each of the rods 27 terminates at one end, in a right angularly disposed portion 28 which projects forwardly and is operable through the arcuate slots 29 provided for this purpose in theenlarged portions 21 of each of the frames 16 and 17. The portions 28 constitute operating levers or handles for the rods 27 and each has formed on its free end the knob or ball 29 to facilitate gripping the same. As will be readily apparent, the desired indicia is placed on the translucent panels 19. An elongated spring 30 is mounted in the enlar ed portion 21 of each of the frames 16 and 17 inwardly of the inner wall of channel 22 and said spring 30 is supported against lateral movement in one direction by the vertically spaced lugs or abutments 31. The spring 30 in each of the frames 16 and 17 is operatively engaged withthe lever portions 28 of the rods 27 in a manner to yieldingly urge the lever portions 28 and the rods 27 in one direction. It will thus be seen that I the lever portions 28 and the rods 27 will be yieldingly retained in the end portions of the slots 29 into which said lever portions 28 are manually shifted by a person moving the shutters 27 to operative or inoperative position with respect to the translucent sign panels 19.

The comparatively short upper wall of the housing or casing 1 permits the frame 9 to be removed with the panels supporting frames 16 and 17 mounted in position by sim ply removing the locking pin 13 swinging the lower end of the frame outwardly from the housing or casing 1 and then elevating. the frame 9 with respect to the housing or casing 1 in a manner to disengage the panelled eX- tension 10 from the upturned flange 7. The frames 16 and 17 may then be removed from the frame 9 by withdrawing the locking pin from the aligned eyes 25 and 26 and swinging the retaining bar 23 upwardly away from the frames 16 and 17. Said frames 16 and 17 may then be swung outwardly and lifted out of the angular bar 14. The translucent sign panels 19 may then be removed as desired for changing names.

When the sign is assembled in position and in use, the light bulb 2 is illuminated by clos-.

ing the switch 5, as will be apparent. Then, when a doctor or other person is in the hospital or other building and wishes his pres ence. to be indicated, he operates the lever .28- which is adjacent the sign panel 19 bearing his name and swings the shutter 27 to the position indicated in broken line in Figure 9 of the drawings. As beforeexplained, this o eration exposes the translucent sign panels 19 to the light bulb 2 and the name thereon is thus rendered visible from the front of the sign; A conventional plug 33 is detachably connected with the receptacle 4 in the housing orrcasing, 1 for. supplying electric current from. any suitable source to the light bulb 2.

It isbelieved that the many advantages of a sign constructed in accordance with this invention will be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention-is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimedis 1'. An illuminated sign of the character described comprising a housinghaving an open front, a lamp mounted in the housing, a plurality of sign supporting frames removabl-y mounted in the open front of the housii g,'a plurality of translucent sign panels mounted in each of the frames, shutters mounted for swinging movement on the frames adjacent each of the sign panels and adapted-for disposition in opposed relation to the panels in a manner to selectively shield the same from the lamp, means for manually operating the shutters. I

2. An. illuminated sign of the character described comprising a housing having an open front, a lamp mounted inthe housing, a frame removably mounted on the front of the housing, a plurality of sign supporting frames removably mounted in the first named frame, translucent sign panels mounted in each of the sign supporting frames, a plurality of shutters mounted forswingingmovement on the secondnamedframes, adjacent.

eachof the sign panels and adapted for dispositionin opposed relation to the panels in a manner to selectively shield said panels from i the lamp, means formanually shifting the sh'uttersito operative and inoperative position with respect to the sign panels.

-3. An illuminated sign of the characterdescribed comprising ahousinghaving' an open front; alamp mounted in the housing,

a fran1e 1'emovably mounted on the frontof the housing, a plurality of sign supporting frames removably mounted in the first named I each of the sign supporting frames, a plu rality of-shuttersmounted for swinging for disposition in opposed relation to the panels in a manner toselectively shield said panels from the lamp, means for manually shifting the shuttersto operative and inopframe, translucent sign panels mounted in erative position with respect to the sign panels,'and resilient means common to all of the shutters of each of second named frames for yieldingly retaining said shutters in op,- eratlve and inoperative position.

4:. An illuminated sign of the character described'comprising an open front housing including top, bottom and side walls," and a rear wall, the top wall terminating rearwardly of the side and bottom walls, an upturned flange on the forward marginal edge of the top wall, inturned flanges on the forward edges of the side and the bottom walls, a substantially rectangular frame remo-vably mounted on the forward portion of the housing, a channeled extension on the upper end of the frame for the reception of the flange on the upper wall of the housing, means for securing the lower end of the frame to the lower wall of the housing, a bar of angle iron cross section mounted horizontally in the lower portion of the frame and extending into the housing when the frame is in position on'said housing, metallic strips mounted vertically in the frame adjacent the opposite sides thereof and adapted to extend into the housing, a plurality of sign panel supporting frames removably disposed in the first named frame and engaged for rest on the bar in said first named frame, the second named frames'disposed between the metallic strips in the first named frame, an angular retaining bar hingedly mounted in the first named frame for engagement with the upper ends of the second named frames, means for releasably securing the retaining bar to the second named frames, a plurality of translucent sign panels mounted in each of the second named frames, and means for selectively shielding said panels from the lamp.

- 5. An illuminated sign of the character de scribed comprising a housing having an open front,a lamp mounted in the housing, a frame disposed in the open front of the housing, a plurality of translucent sign panels mount ed on the frame, a plurality of rods rotatably and slidably mounted on the frame adjacent each of the sign panels, said frame being provided with a series of arcuate slots in its outer side adjacent each of the rods, an angular extension on one end of each of the rods, operable in the arcuate slots and constituting operating levers for actuating the rods, a shutter fixed on each of the rods fordispositi'on in opposed relation to the adjacent sign panels in a manner to shield said panels'from the lamp, and resilient means mounted in the frame and operatively engaged with each of the extensions on the rods for yieldingly retaining said extensions in shifted position in the end portions of the respective slots.

6. An illuminated sign of the class at scribed comprising a housing, having a plurahty of Windows 1n one face thereof, a transparent slgn panel 1n each window, shutters the housing for illuminating the panel whenthe shutters are swung inwardly.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HERMAN C. C. ENGBERG. 

